ECZEMA – Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is Eczema?
Answer: Eczema, or dermatitis, is a group of chronic skin disorders evidenced by itchy, inflamed skin. It can affect all age groups, all ethnicities and both sexes. Typically it affects the insides of the elbows, backs of the knees, and the face, but it can cover most of the body. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, Eczema is not contagious. Although there is no permanent cure, the skin condition can be controlled with consistent use of ARMSTRONG SKIN-AID for ECZEMA.
Question: What are the different types of Eczema?
Answer: There are several different types of Eczema. The two most common are:
- Atopic Eczema: The most common form of Eczema, it can affect both adults and children and is usually hereditary, (thus called “Atopic”). The most common symptom of Atopic Eczema is extreme itchiness (pruritis), which can be almost unbearable. Other symptoms include dryness of the skin, redness and inflammation. Constant scratching can cause the skin to break open, making it more susceptible to infection. ARMSTRONG SKIN-AID for ECZEMA can help break the itch-scratch-inflammation cycle of Atopic Eczema by moisturizing the skin and soothing the itch, allowing the skin to heal naturally.
- Contact Dermatitis: This Eczema develops when the body’s immune system reacts against a substance in contact with the skin, due to an allergy or simple irritation. Symptoms will appear similar to those for Atopic Eczema. Because the symptoms are caused by the body’s sensitivity, it is most important that the treatment be allergen-free, as is the case with all natural ARMSTRONG SKIN-AID for ECZEMA.
Question: Is there a cure for Eczema?
Answer: There is currently no cure for Eczema, although research continues to shed new light on the condition. However, the use of ARMSTRONG SKIN-AID for ECZEMA, when used in conjunction with an effective skin care routine, will minimize the discomfort and distress which Eczema can bring.
Question: Is Atopic Eczema (or Atopic Dermatitis) an allergy?
Answer: A topic Eczema, the most common type of Eczema, is a chronic, itchy skin condition which causes the skin to be extremely sensitive to many things. However, Atopic Eczema is not technically an allergy because it is not a specific response to a specific allergen and it is very rarely completely cleared by removing the cause of sensitivity. People with Atopic Eczema often have a higher likelihood of developing certain allergic conditions, such as a food allergy, hay fever, and asthma.
Question: Is Eczema caused by stress?
Answer: While stress and other psychological factors may trigger a flare-up, they do not actually cause Eczema. However, having Eczema may cause feelings of anxiety and anger and these emotions can bring on a flare-up. Learning to manage and reduce stress has been found to be essential in preventing flare-ups of Eczema.
Question: My child has Eczema. Will he develop asthma?
Answer: While the connection exists, Eczema does not directly cause asthma. One study found that 46% of children with asthma also had Eczema.
Question: Will my child outgrow his Eczema?
Answer: There is simply no way to determine this. The statistics are that 90% of people who develop Eczema do so before the age of 5. In 40% - 60% of these children, Eczema persists beyond puberty and into adulthood. However, the good news is that many infants with Eczema improve by age 2 and about 40% of children with Eczema outgrow it by the time they are young adults. Since there is no way to predict the outcome for your child, it is imperative to control Eczema now. An all-natural solution like ARMSTRONG SKIN AID for ECZEMA is perfect for even the youngest children.
It is important to note that children who have had Eczema are more sensitive to environmental factors later in life. For instance, 80% of occupational skin disorders (Contact Dermatitis) occur in individuals who had Eczema as a child.
Question: I have Atopic Eczema. What can I do to lessen the chance that my baby will develop it?
Answer: A number of studies throughout the years have suggested that breast-feeding may help to prevent Atopic Eczema from developing in children, especially in those with a first-order family history – that is, a history of parents, brothers or sisters having the condition.
Please refer to the following reference materials: Gdalevich M et al. “Breast-feeding and the onset of atopic dermatitis in childhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.” J Amer Acad Dermatol 2001; 45:520-527.